Curtin student environmental sustainability project team launches ‘MyCleanCity’ mobile app

Miri – 17 August 2022 – The team behind Smart World Sustainability (SWS), a student-run project at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) promoting environmental sustainability, recently launched their newly-developed ‘MyCleanCity’ mobile application designed for more efficient solid waste management in Miri City.

“The key goal of the SWS project is to transform the way our community manages solid wastes to ensure environmental sustainability and cleanliness, as well as promote recycling and a circular economy. This mobile application will help accelerate the process considerably,” said project vice-leader Rebekah Min Anak Majoy.

She said the development of ‘MyCleanCity’ stemmed from the SWS’ smart waste management project started in September 2020 which has garnered support from the Miri City Council (MCC) and local recycling centres and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The project team also collaborated with the Curtin Malaysia IChemE Student Chapter last year to conduct environmental awareness campaigns in the community.

The mobile application and smart (electronic) bins are the technological components of the smart waste management system designed to digitally manage the process of collecting recyclable wastes such as plastic, paper and metal and sending them to recycling centres for recycling.

“The mobile app is therefore an extension of the waste management system that would allow users to manage solid wastes more efficiently, digitally and in real time,” said Rebekah.

She said development work by the team of students who are all digital creators, innovators and marketers started in March last year. The mobile application manages real-time monitoring of recycling bins, connection with recyclers, integration of Google Maps API for navigation to sites, and reporting of environmental and sustainability indexes generated by the smart waste management system.

“We are in the final stages of perfecting the smart bins and integrating them with other technological assets. The entire system is set for full-scale implementation soon, starting with academic institutions and business centres in the city,” said Rebekah.

The Smart World Sustainability (SWS) project is run by engineering and business students of Curtin Malaysia with support and guidance from academic staff of its Faculty of Engineering and Science.

Since its inception in 2020, the project team has been working within the university and in collaboration with community stakeholders to transform the conventional waste management system in Miri into a high-performing sustainable and responsible waste management system through digital technology. This is in line with the Sarawak Government’s digital transformation drive to create an advanced digital economy in the state, and the MCC’s adoption of various digital technologies under its Miri Smart City initiative.

Advisors to the SWS project team, Dr. Lau Shiew Wei and Assoc. Prof. Stephanie Chan Yen San, both of the Faculty of Engineering and Science’s Chemical and Energy Engineering Department, and Terrence Tan Peng Lian of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, said the solid waste management system and mobile application are significant achievements for the team.

“It is the fulfillment of a mission they set out on two years ago and they have done a tremendous job. Mayor of Miri Adam Yii Siew Sang endorsed the solid waste management system as a game-changer for Miri during the SWS’ Virtual Convention with Miri City Council and Recycling Centres held in March last year,” said Dr. Lau.

Assoc. Prof. Chan said the SWS project is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their talent and creativity, practice analytical and critical-thinking skills, acquire new skills and new perspectives, and ultimately contribute to the development of Miri.

Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig also had high praise for the team. He said that as a university that is forward-looking and committed to engaging the community and changing lives through leadership, innovation and excellence, Curtin Malaysia is proud of the achievements of these students.

“They are doing our university proud, and I look forward to seeing more students who are passionate about the environment and the future development of Miri joining the team,” he said.

The SWS team is inviting more Curtin Malaysia students, regardless of what disciplines they are in, to join them. The team also invites community stakeholders interested to collaborate to contact them by email to wastemanagement@curtin.edu.my, or alternatively, through their Instagram (sws_project) and on Facebook (Smart World Sustainability Solid Waste Management Project) accounts.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Tiktok.

The SWS project team

Members of the SWS project team demonstrating their ‘MyCleanCity’ mobile application.

The many facets of ‘MyCleanCity’.

The mobile application that allows users to monitor waste management in real time.